Cal Smith

Cal Smith

@calebllsmith.bsky.social

Trans Kansan going to law school. He/They Pronouns. 🌈🏳️‍⚧️

1.3K followers442 following231 posts

Cal Smith
@calebllsmith.bsky.social

Let me tell y’all about Camp Ground - a multi-faith retreat for people doing justice work. This work is exhausting - we need time to rest and recharge. I attended last year and found that and more. If you serve community and are flagging - please apply! Apps close Sunday. campgroundretreat.org

Cal Smith reposted

Senator Sheldon Whitehouse
@whitehouse.senate.gov

Citizens United opened the floodgates of slimy dark money into our politics. It’s time we slam them shut. Glad to have CAP in the fight :-)

Tom Moore@thmoore.bsky.social

Fifteen years after Citizens United opened the floodgates of corporate and dark political money, the Center for American Progress has figured out how to slam them back shut. CAP published its groundbreaking how-to report today: "The Corporate Power Reset That Makes Citizens United Irrelevant."

americanprogress.orgThe Corporate Power Reset That Makes Citizens United IrrelevantBy using their authority to define what corporations are—and what powers they hold—states can end the era of corporate and dark money in U.S. politics.
Cal Smith
@calebllsmith.bsky.social

Trans people, like everyone else, deserve safety and dignity. Popularity - or unpopularity - of that statement has no bearing on its truth. That's kind of the whole point of civil rights.

Cal Smith reposted

Orion Rummler
@oriion.bsky.social

Sara Habein, a mother of two in Montana, recently learned that she has cysts in her brain. Every six months, her doctors check that the cysts aren’t growing. If she didn’t have Medicaid, she's not sure what she would do. Now, Trump’s “one big, beautiful” law threatens her coverage.

19thnews.orgOver a million queer women rely on Medicaid. What happens if they lose it?Lesbian and bisexual women are more likely to be low-income, more likely to be parents and more likely to rely on Medicaid. They could fall through the cracks of Trump’s new tax law.

Cal Smith reposted

Center for American Progress
@americanprogress.bsky.social

Today at 11 am ET: Don't miss our virtual event on presidential appeasement and the Supreme Court in 2025. www.americanprogress.org/events/presi... We'll be joined by @audrelawdamercy.bsky.social, @leahlitman.bsky.social, @reichlinmelnick.bsky.social, and @anthonymkreis.bsky.social.

americanprogress.orgPresidential Appeasement and the Supreme Court: The State of the Court in 2025Please join the Center for American Progress for a virtual event on presidential appeasement and the Supreme Court in 2025.
Cal Smith
@calebllsmith.bsky.social

Some of the very best people I know have created a camp - it’s a retreat for those of us who do social justice work. Camp Ground is about rest: no work allowed. If you organize, advocate, etc in ANY capacity (professionally, as a volunteer, in your spare time) this camp is probably for you.

Cal Smith
@calebllsmith.bsky.social

We’re not working or networking or skill building at this retreat - we’re resting and recharging so we can come back to the work. Camp Ground is Labor Day Weekend in CA - message me if you have questions! Hint: if your first thought is “how can I volunteer/help”, this camp is probably for you!

Cal Smith reposted

Tom Moore
@thmoore.bsky.social

MUST-READ: My CAP colleague Alice Lillydahl has a terrific new column out today on why appeasement of Trump's illegal demands may be far more dangerous to organizations than compliance is.

americanprogress.orgThe Dangers of Obeying: 4 Risks for Organizations Bowing to the Trump AdministrationThe Trump administration is demanding unprecedented power and punishing those who refuse to comply, but civil society acting peacefully with collective courage can build a stronger democracy.
Cal Smith
@calebllsmith.bsky.social

Right-wing senators are trying to defund coverage of trans medical care. A new report out today from my colleague @hvnorrisphd.bsky.social reveals: 28% of insured trans folks are covered through Medicaid and 6% through ACA plans. Coverage MUST be protected. www.americanprogress.org/article/lgbt...

americanprogress.orgLGBTQI+ People Are Underinsured and Experience Health Insurance Discrimination in Key AreasNew Center for American Progress survey findings demonstrate how LGBTQI+ people are at greater risk of losing access to health care under the proposed One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
Cal Smith
@calebllsmith.bsky.social

Today's Something Censored - The Department of Defense had a detailed handbook on supporting transgender service members, providing policies that ensured equity and covered topics from dress code to commander responsibilities. It has since been censored, but we have a copy.

Cal Smith
@calebllsmith.bsky.social

Something Censored is an effort to fight back against suppression of needed info. Weekdays until June 28, I'll post a webpage or resource censored by the Trump admin, why it is important, and a link to an archived version (thank you Wayback Machine). Follow along for daily updates.

Cal Smith
@calebllsmith.bsky.social

Key state department officials shared at a national convening how LGBTQI+ rights are an integral part of international policy. Secretary Blinken and other leaders affirmed the importance of diversity in international policy. The article is no longer available on government sites.

Cal Smith
@calebllsmith.bsky.social

Something Censored is an effort to fight back against suppression of needed info. On weekdays until June 28, I'll post a webpage or resource censored by the Trump admin, why it is important, and a link to an archived version (thank you Wayback Machine). Follow along for daily updates.

Cal Smith
@calebllsmith.bsky.social

Today’s Something Censored - Wiped from the TSA website; policies and guidance on traveling through TSA for transgender, non-binary, and gender diverse people. Much of this advice is still helpful; highly recommend a read for those traveling.

Cal Smith
@calebllsmith.bsky.social

Something Censored is an effort to fight back against suppression of needed info. On weekdays until June 28 I'll post a webpage or resource censored by the Trump admin, why it is important, and a link to an archived version (thank you Wayback Machine). Follow along for daily updates.

Cal Smith
@calebllsmith.bsky.social

Also, on Skrmetti. Folks are going to analyze, write about the harms of the ruling. While we do, it is SO important to remember: The people who sued for care, went before SCOTUS and argued for equal rights were right to do so. Their strategy was solid, their aim was correct. Hope is never wrong.

Cal Smith reposted

Sam Ames
@samames.bsky.social

Listen. We cannot predicate fighting on winning. We're going to lose a lot in the days to come, and if we’re going to make it through the nights we need to find something to fuel us that runs deeper than hope. We’re past hope. We don't follow hope. Hope follows us.

samamesesq.medium.comWhat U.S. v. Skrmetti Did, What It Didn’t Do, and What It Can Never DoThere is going to be a lot of catastrophizing today. We lost U.S. v. Skrmetti, one of the biggest transgender civil rights cases of our…
Cal Smith
@calebllsmith.bsky.social

Today, SCOTUS chose politicians over doctors, misinformation over science, and special interest groups over families. When leaders choose to cower rather than defend, it’s devastating. But, it is also clarifying. This ruling is a directive to us - to keep fighting. In community, we will win. 🏳️‍⚧️

Cal Smith
@calebllsmith.bsky.social

There will be more to come over the next days and weeks. Today, it’s important to remember that this ruling did not further restrict gender-affirming care. The trans care that was available yesterday is available today. We prepared for this. There *is* a path forward. Together, we will walk it.

Cal Smith
@calebllsmith.bsky.social

Today's Something Censored - The Department of Housing and Urban Development compiled a resource on ensuring equal access to shelters/ housing programs for trans people. While it was removed from HUD's website, it is still a powerful tool for organizations committed to providing inclusive resources.

Cal Smith
@calebllsmith.bsky.social

Something Censored is an effort to fight back against suppression of needed info. Every weekday until June 28 I'll post a webpage or resource censored by the Trump admin, why it is important, and a link to an archived version (thank you Wayback Machine). Follow along for daily updates.

Cal Smith reposted

Haley Norris
@hvnorrisphd.bsky.social

Its #LGBTQIAEqualPay day! CAP data shows LGBTQI+ women lose over 39k a year and Black LGBTQI+ households lose over 33k. We have to fight back against this administration that is destroying every right and enforcement institution on the books. www.americanprogress.org/article/the-...

americanprogress.orgThe 2024 LGBTQI+ Wage GapIn recognition of LGBTQIA+ Equal Pay Awareness Day, new analysis from the Center for American Progress’ LGBTQI+ Community Survey shows that in 2024, LGBTQI+ households made just 85 cents for every dol...

Cal Smith reposted

Sara Estep (she/her)
@saraestep.bsky.social

Our latest shows that LGBTQI+ households lose $12,600 per year to the wage gap, and the gaps are wider for LGBTQI+ people who are trans, women, and people of color. We must fight the claw backs to our civil rights enforcement agencies for #LGBTQIAEqualPay.🏳️‍🌈 www.americanprogress.org/article/the-...

americanprogress.orgThe 2024 LGBTQI+ Wage GapIn recognition of LGBTQIA+ Equal Pay Awareness Day, new analysis from the Center for American Progress’ LGBTQI+ Community Survey shows that in 2024, LGBTQI+ households made just 85 cents for every dol...
Cal Smith
@calebllsmith.bsky.social

Today's Something Censored - The Family and Youth Services Bureau (FYSB) once provided a resource for organizations and community centers on supporting LGBTQIA2S+ Youth as part of FYSB homeless youth programs. LGBTQIA2S+ young people are more likely to be homeless than their peers.

Cal Smith
@calebllsmith.bsky.social

Something Censored is an effort to fight back against suppression of needed info. Every weekday until June 28 I'll post a webpage or resource censored by the Trump admin, why it is important, and a link to an archived version (thank you Wayback Machine). Follow along for daily updates.

Cal Smith
@calebllsmith.bsky.social

This weekend, Trump spent millions on a vanity project/military parade. Among other anti-veteran cuts, the VA recently cut coverage of trans care, citing costs. The parade would've covered a year of all trans vets' medical bills 90 times over. www.americanprogress.org/article/trum...

americanprogress.orgTrump Is Throwing Himself a Birthday Parade While Veterans and Military Families Face CutsPresident Donald Trump is throwing himself a costly military birthday parade while veteran and military families are suffering under the impact of ongoing cuts to critical programs and services.
Cal Smith
@calebllsmith.bsky.social

Today's Something Censored - The VA used to have a comprehensive resource page for providing medical care to LGBTQI+ veterans. The page included resources everything from serving trans and non-binary vets - to details on suicide prevention services. All have been wiped from the VA site.

Cal Smith
@calebllsmith.bsky.social

Something Censored is an effort to fight back against suppression of needed info. Every weekday until June 28 I'll post a webpage or resource censored by the Trump admin, why it is important, and a link to an archived version (thank you Wayback Machine). Follow along for daily updates.

Cal Smith
@calebllsmith.bsky.social

Today's Something Censored - The Office in charge of federal contracts for the Department of Labor used to have a "Know Your Rights" document outlining non-discrimination protections for LGBTQI+ workers. The fact sheet was provided in multiple languages. All have been wiped from the DOL website.

Cal Smith
@calebllsmith.bsky.social

Something Censored is an effort to fight back against suppression of needed info. Every weekday until June 28 I'll post a webpage or resource censored by the Trump admin, why it is important, and a link to an archived version (thank you Wayback Machine). Follow along for daily updates.